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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$41,514 GS-5 Step 1 in Sacramento (2023)
$53,973 GS-5 Step 10 in Sacramento (2023)
+$9,157 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2023 GS-5 pay table for Sacramento

Each step below already includes the 28.30% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-5 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $41,514 $1,596.69 $19.89 +$9,157
Step 2 $42,898 $1,649.92 $20.55 +$9,462
Step 3 $44,283 $1,703.19 $21.22 +$9,768
Step 4 $45,667 $1,756.42 $21.88 +$10,073
Step 5 $47,051 $1,809.65 $22.54 +$10,378
Step 6 $48,436 $1,862.92 $23.21 +$10,684
Step 7 $49,820 $1,916.15 $23.87 +$10,989
Step 8 $51,205 $1,969.42 $24.54 +$11,295
Step 9 $52,589 $2,022.65 $25.20 +$11,600
Step 10 $53,973 $2,075.88 $25.86 +$11,905
← GS-4 Calculate my take-home GS-6 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Sacramento pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $32,357
  • Sacramento GS-5 Step 1 $41,514
  • Locality add-on +$9,157
  • Adjustment percent 28.30%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $42,068
  • Sacramento GS-5 Step 10 $53,973

Step-increase waiting periods

  • Step 1 → Step 2 52 weeks
  • Step 2 → Step 3 52 weeks
  • Step 3 → Step 4 52 weeks
  • Step 4 → Step 5 104 weeks
  • Step 5 → Step 6 104 weeks
  • Step 6 → Step 7 104 weeks
  • Step 7 → Step 8 156 weeks
  • Step 8 → Step 9 156 weeks
  • Step 9 → Step 10 156 weeks

GS-5 in Sacramento: what to expect

Entry-level professional and administrative positions, including many recent college graduates hired into program, budget, or HR roles.

For 2023, the Sacramento pay area adds a 28.30% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-5 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. A bachelor's degree, three years of general experience, or one year at the GS-4 level.

Promotion path. GS-5 is a common ladder start. Typical progression is GS-5 → GS-7 → GS-9.

The rough military equivalent for GS-5 is E-6 Staff Sergeant, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-5 in Sacramento

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Sacramento earns roughly $1,597 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,076. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2023 table. For current pay, open the latest GS-5 Sacramento page.

Other grades in Sacramento

GS-5 in Sacramento questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in Sacramento?
    In 2023, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Sacramento earns $41,514 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $53,973. This is 28.30% higher than the base GS-5 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-5 in Sacramento?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Sacramento in 2023, it is 28.30%. On a GS-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $9,157 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-5 in Sacramento?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-5 Step 1 employee in Sacramento earns roughly $1,597 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.